Casing head



July 12, 1932- J. J. SANTIAGO. 1,866,726 cAsING HEAD I -Filed sept. 2o, 1929 Patented July 12, 1932 JAMES J. SANTIAGO, or vLos ANGELES,- CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T JOHN' GRANT, 0F i LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA f CASING- HEAD Applicationled September 20, 1929. Serial No. 393,935.

This invention has to do generally with circulating and cementing heads for well' pipe, and relates more particularly to types of circulating heads adapted to be removably secured to the outside-of the pipe by pipe gripping elements carried on the head. Circulating heads of this general character comprise the subject matter of my copending application on well head, filed under even date herewith, and also of an application for patent on casing-head filed under even date herewith by John Grant and bearing Serial Number 393,934.

Inthe circulating heads described in the referred copending applications the gripping means for anchoring the head to the pipe comprise a plurality of circumferentially arranged elements which are adapted to be brought by wedging action with the body of the head, into engagement with the casing c upon relative upward movement of the circulating head.l

It is a general purpose of the .invention to provide in circulating heads of this nature, means for securing the head to the casing adapted to be operated by relative movement between sections of the head instead of, as in -the referred previous types, by virtue of relative movement betwen the head and pipe. The present type of head may be described generally as comprising a capped body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections, upon one section of which a plurality of pipe gripping elements is actuated by parts associated with the uppersection upon its relative vertical movement, Vto bring said elements into 'gripping engagement with the'p'ipe. Thus upon the exertion .50 of sufficient fluid vpressure from the casing mounted, there being means associated with against the upper body section to Cause it to move upward on the pipe, the gripping elements on the lower body section are actuated by virtue of their connection with the upper section and brought into' engagement with the pipe to prevent further upward movement of that section.

The invention will be understood most clearly and discussed to best advantage in the following detailed description of a typical and preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being had for purposes of description to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a detailed sectional view showing the head on the well casing; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section on broken line-2 2 of Fig. 1.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the circulating' head generally indicated at 10 is shown at- 'I0' tached to the upper end of the well casing 11, preferably though not necessarily to the usual pipe collar 12 on the casing. The head'may be characterized generally as comprising a body portion 13 and a cap 14:, in the present 75 instance o f the plug carryingtype, threaded at 15 into the upper vend of the body. The joint between thev cap and -body may be rendered fluid tight by forming anannular flange 16 on the lowerend bf the cap and 8o l within which a ring gasket 17 is carried, the annular knife edge 18 on the upper end of the body being seated against the gasketwhen the joint is taken up. The body portion 13 of the head is formed in two sections, the 85 upper section 19 having an outwardly spreading and depending skirt portion 19a, and the lower section comprising a relatively vertically movable ring 20 in which is carriedthe pipe gripping elements generally indicated at 21.` The usual circulating fluid or cement linlets 22, 22a are provided in the upper bodysection, and preferably below the upper end of the Cap. A

An inner depending skirt 23 is threaded 'at 95 24 intotlie lower interior of the body section 1,9,the skirt having an annular flange 23a 'adapted to rest on the upper end of the collar 12 when the head is in position thereon., A In order to provide a sufficient threaded length 10 of the skirt for connection with the body, openings 26 areformed in the skirt and bmught into registration with the body inlets 22 and 22a. 4The outer surface 236 of the skirt 23 preferably is tapered at substantially the same degree as the taper of the threads within the collar, the external diameter of the skirt being substantially equal to or slightly less than the internal diameter of the collar. The skirt thus serves as a means for centering the-head on the pipe relative to the interior of the collar, it being preferred to center the head relative to the interior rather than the exterior of the collar due to possible variations in its outer diameter. It will be apparent that the skirt likewise serves to prevent appreciable tilting of the head on the casing.

The head may be provided with any suitable cap or closure for its upper end, although A I prefer to construct the cap as shown with suihcient length to contain a releasable plug 30, which may be of any suitable size and shape, and which is adapted to be lowered.

within the casing in carrying out well cementing operations according to procedures well understood by those familiar with the art.

In the form shown, a closure 31 is provided for the upper end of the cap, and within eyelets 32 integral with the cap are inserted the bails 33 by means of which the circulating head is raised or lowered from position on the pipe. The outer diameter of the 1 typical form of plug shown may be substantially equal to the internal -diameter of the cap and skirt 23, which in-turn may be substantially equal to, or slightly less than the internal diameter of the casing 11. The plug is releasably supported in the cap by means caps 37 on their outer ends and the caps normally being threaded on the packing glands. Caps37 may be .unscrewed when it is desired to pull the stops outward' to release the plug and to permit its lowering into the casing. In case the plug should tend to lodge within the cap, it may be'forced downward 'by means of a push rod 38 extending through packing gland 39 i-n the upper end closure `31 of the cap, the rod normally being prevented from dropping within the cap by means of a. cotter key 40. It will be noted that by virtue of skirt 23 depending within the collar, a smooth internal surface is provided below the cap, thereby precluding any possibility of the plug becoming lodged due to irregularities within the head or withinv the pipe collar.

Fluid leakage between the body of the 'head and the casing is prevented by means `of the pressure actuated packing ring 45 clamped within the lower end of the upper body section skirt portion 19a, and confined near its outer periphery within an annular recess 46 formed in the skirt, by means of a clamping ring 47 supported by bolts 48. The skirt of the upper body section may have a slight amount of clearance at from the collar to enable fluid pressure within the casing to be applied to the upper face of the packing ring. The packing ring has an inner annular upstanding lip V.portion 45a which when acted upon by the pressure communicated to space 55 from the well casing, is forced into tight engagement with the outside of the collar to preventfluid leakage between the body of the head and the casing. The bolts have reduced ends 48a extending through skirt flange 19a and the clamping rings 47, the lower enlarged portions 486 of the bolts preferably having a vertical sliding fit within bores 50 in the supporting ring 20. By tightening nuts 51 the clamping ring is brought toward the skirt flange 19a to clamp the packing ring 45 in place by the engagement of shoulder 52 on the bolt between sections 48a, .486, with the underside of the ring. Counterbores 50a are formed in ring 2O to take the bolt heads 48o and to permit a certain amount of upward movement of the body section 19 relative to ring 20 as will be later explained.

Appreciable upward movement of the head from its adjusted position on the casing is prevented by the pipe gripping means generally indicated at21 which may be characterized generally as comprising a plurality of pipe gripping or binding elements arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals in the lower ring 20 and adapted to be brought into gripping engagement with the .c asing upon upward movement of the body section 19 relative to ring 20. The gripping elements in their preferred form comprise a plurality of pinions 56, one for each bolt 48, and mounted on shaft pins 57 journaled in the sides of recesses 58 which extend radially inward to the interior of the ring from the bores 50. The pinion teeth 56a mesh with a row of teeth 60 formed on the inner sides of the bolt sections 486, the bolts serving essentially as vertically movable racks by which the pinions are rotated. On their inner sides, the pinions have integral eccentric flange segments .61 of increasing radius in the progression r1, T2. Upon upward movementof the bolts 48, the pinions are rotated so as to swing the flanges 61 downward into engagement with the casing, the flanges by virtue of their eccentric shape being brought into swinging engagement with the casing as the bolts are moved upward. Preferably flanges 61 are provided with teeth 61a on their outer peripheries to cause the flanges to bite into the pipe as they are swung downward, 'although it 'will be understood that the binding action between the flanges and the pipe may be sufiicient to anchor Athe head thereon without the provision of pipe gripping serrations on the anges. Rotation downward relative movement of the bolts, and in the direction in which the eccentric lianges are released from binding engagement with-the casing, is limited by the engagement of the upper ends of the flanges with abutment shoulders 20a at the top of recesses 58, the limiting positions of the pinions being such that the lower portions of the eccentric flanges are but slightly spaced from the collar so that upon compartively slight upward movement of the bolts 48, the flanges are brought into engagement with the collar.

In the operation of applying the head to the casing, the head iirst may be suspended with the lower body section in its lowermost postion relative to the upper section, that is with ring 20 resting on the bolt heads 480. If it is desired, provision may be made for supporting the ring in its uppermost position before applying the head to the casing, and as a typical means for supporting the ring I have shown screws 59 threaded through the ring into counterbores 50a and adapted to be adjusted so as to bear against the bolt heads 480 to support the ring against downward movement. In case the lower body ring is'thus supported in its upper position, the head may be low-ered into position ered on the pipe with ring 20 in its lowermost position, pinions 56, due to the engagement of flanges 61 with the pipe, are caused to climb upward on bolts 48?), the ring thus being raised4 to point at 'which the pinion flanges are swungto permit the head to be lowered .to its resting position upon the collar. i

Upon subsequent upward movement of the upper body section, whether it be raised mechanically or by fluid pressure within-the casing, the pinions are rotated to bring the serrated eccentric flanges into gripping engagement with the pipe to prevent further upward movement of the upper section. In order to remove the head from the casing, assuming no pressure within the casingis exerted against the upper body section, the ring 20 is lifted to its uppermost position to cause the pinion flanges to be released from engagement with the casing, and in the procedure of lifting the head from the casing, ring 20 may be manually held in raised position or by adjusting screws 59 to permit their inner ends to rest on the bolt heads 480.

It will be understood that the drawing is to be considered merely as illustrative of and not restrictive on the broader claims appended hereto for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of said claims.

around the upper end of the pipe, said sections being relatively movable by the application of fluid pressure to the head through the well pipe, pipe gripping means mounted on the body and adapted to be brought into gripping engagement with the outside of the pipe by virtue of upward movement of the upperl section relative to the lower section, and fluid pressure actuated packing means between said body and the pipe.

2. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a capped body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections, said sections being relatively movable by the application of fluid pressure Vto the head through the well pipe, pipe gripping means mounted on one of said body sections, and means on the other section operatively connected with said gripping means to bring thegripping means into engagement with the pipe by virtue of upward movement of the upper section relative to the lower section. l A

3. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections and adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, pipe gripping means mounted on the lower section, means attached to the upper section and adapted to actuate said gripping means by virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section, to bring the gripping means into engagement with the pipe, and packing means carried in said upper section and adapted to engage the outside of the pipe.

4. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections and adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, said sections being relatively movable by the application 'of fluid pressure to the head through the well pipe, rotatable pipe gripping means mounted on the lower section, and means attached to said upper section and adapted to actuate said gripping means by virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section, to bring the gripping means into engagement with the pipe.

5. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having upper capped section and a lower relatively vertically movable section, adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a plvotally mounted eccentric pipe gripping element mounted on the lower body section, and

means attached tothe upper .section and adapted to actuate said grippmg element upon relativefupward movement of the up' per section. C

6. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections and adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, an eccentric pinion mounted on the lower body section and adapted to be rotated into engagement with the pipe, and a toothed member`attached to the upper body section and adapted to coact with said pinion to actuate the latter upon relative movement between said sections.

7. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having upper and lower relatively vertically movable sections and adapted to be. placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, a packing ring in the upper section and a packng clamping ring below the packing ring, a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts securing the clamping ring to the upper section and depending within openings in the lower section, and a plurality of pipe grip-l ping elements, one for each of said bolts, mounted on said lower section, each of said gripping elements comprising a pinion having an eccentric face and meshing with teeth formed on said bolt, the eccentric face of said pinion being brought into gripping engagement with the pipe upon relative movement between the body sections.

8. A circulating` head for attachment to Well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, said body having an upper capped'sec` tion and a lower relatively vertically mov-` able section, pipe gripping means mounted on the lower section, and means Aassociated with the upper capped section and adapted to actuate said gripping means by virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section to bring the -gripplng means into engagement withthe pipe- 9. 'circulating head for attachment to well plpe, comprising a body having upperl and lower relatively vertically movable sectlons and adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, pipe gripping means mounted on the lower section, means attached to the upper section and adapted to actuate said gripping means by virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section, to bring the gripping means into engagement with the pipe, and fluid pressure actuated packing carried within said body and adapted to be brought into pressural engagement with the outer cylindrical surface of the pipe.

10. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of the pipe, said body having an upper capped sectionand a lower relatively vertically movable section, pipe gripping means mounted on the lower section, means associated with the upper capped section and adapted to actuate said gripping means by virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section, to bring the gripping means into engagement with the' pipe, and fluid pressure actuated packing carried on said upper section of the body and adapted to be brought into pressural engagement with the outside cylindrical surface of the P1P@- 11,. A circulating head for attachment to well pipe, comprising a body having relatively movable sections, said sections being relatively movable by the application of fluid pressure to the head through the well pipe,

pipe gripping means mounted on the body and adapted to be brought into gripping en'- gagement with the pipe by virtue of relative movement between said sections, and a tubular skirt carried on said body and extending within the upper end of the well pipe.

12. A circulating head for attachment -to well pipe, comprising a capped body having upper and `lower relatively vertically movable sections, said sections being relatively movable by the application of Huid pressure to the head through the well pipe, pipe gripping means mounted on one of said body sections, means on the other section adapted to coact with said gripping means byl virtue of upward movement of said upper section relative to the lower section, to bring the gripping means into engagement with the pipe, and a tubular skirt carried on said upper section and extending within the upper end yof the well pipe.

' In witness that I claim the foregoing I` have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th dayiof August, 1929.

JAMES J. SANTIAGO. 

